One of the most frequently asked questions we get at Guides for Brides is: “what do I put on my wedding invitations?” Often, this is a point of contention! Officially, there are no rules when it comes to your wedding stationery, as couples increasingly move away from traditional wedding etiquette in favour of unique wedding stationery. As a starting point though, we’ve tackled the age-old question of wedding invitation etiquette by taking a look at the time-honoured formalities…
How much notice should I give?
In the world of wedding invitation etiquette, knowing what to send out of your wedding stationery, when, can seem daunting! So, let’s start at the beginning…
When should I send my save-the-dates?
Here at GfB, we would recommend getting your save-the-dates out 3 – 4 months* ahead of the wedding date.
*Bear in mind that if you’re getting married abroad for a destination wedding, or if your guests will have to travel a distance, good wedding invitation etiquette would be to send your save-the-dates ahead of the recommended time frame. That way, everyone can make the appropriate arrangements and plan accordingly to get to your wedding on time! In this instance, add a little extra by sending your save-the-dates up to 6 months prior.
When should I send my wedding invitations?
For your formal wedding invitations, the lovely ones you’ve had made up, send them 6 – 8 weeks ahead of the wedding date.
Add an R.S.V.P.
Keep tabs on exactly who’s coming on your big day by issuing an R.S.V.P request to your invited guests 2 – 3 weeks before the wedding date. With this lovely little bit of wedding invitation etiquette, you’ll have a very handy head count and be perfectly prepared!Rule of thumb: The more notice, the better!
How do wedding save the date and invitations work?
Let your powers of imagination go wild. These days, from the beautifully handmade to the highly innovative, whether you’re looking for craft or cutting edge technique, as a couple, have FUN with your wedding stationery! Naturally though, you’ll want to consider the appropriate wedding invitation etiquette – which is very simple: Keep everything clear.
What do I put on my save-the dates?
On your save-the-dates, ensure that the names of the bride and groom are prominent and display the date in bold (this is the most important information!). Be sure to also include a note at the end of the save-the-date, mentioning that a formal invitation will follow.
Rule of thumb: Your save-the-date doesn’t need to name the venue. You can include a wedding # or URL though!
What do I put on my wedding invitations?
With wedding invitation etiquette, you want to get it right and, thankfully, getting it right is very, very simple! DON’T OVERCOMPLICATE the details that you put down on your formal wedding invitations. All you need are the full names of the couple getting married, the full names of the hosts and the time and place.
What don’t I put on my wedding invitations?
Your wedding invitations need not include a “no children” notice. If you’re not inviting children to the ceremony, then, the names on the envelope should already imply who is invited! Equally, don’t be tempted to list your registry or gift list information on the invitation – simply spread the word by mouth, or, direct your guests to a wedding website where you specify any particular wishes!
Rule of thumb: Cite any additional information on your ‘wedding website’ (e.g. registry information, specifications, requests, etc.)
How do I format my wedding invitations?
Knowing titles, how to spell and format certain lettering can seem tricky, but, paying attention to the small details will always pay off and set the right tone for your wedding day!
How do I write out my guests’ names on my wedding invitations?
When it comes to writing out your envelopes, put down your guests’ entire names on the outer part of the envelope. If your guests are a married couple, you should put down “Mr. and Mrs,” followed by their names in full! If the woman has chosen to keep her maiden name, simply write up “Ms. [full name] and Mr. [full name]” in alphabetical order. For an unmarried couple, use two lines to write their names. E.g. Ms. x Mr. x
Always remember though: It’s your wedding, your way! We’ve just run through the traditional formalities but this is in no way the only way to do things! Think of this as a run through of the basics. Feel free to change it up though accordingly, this is just a leg up!
Feeling inspired?
Start planning your big day with our FREE Guides for Brides Wedding Planner
Sign up here
About the author
Written by: John Maddaford
John has been part of the Guides for Brides team for over 15 years and has connections with thousands of wedding suppliers. If you are looking for recommendations on stationery suppliers in your area, John is the person to get in touch with.
